Today we’d like to introduce you to David Robinson.
How you started and how you got to where you are today?
From 2012 – 2020, the events surrounding Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, Tamir Rice, Walter Scott, Philando Castile, Botham Jean, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and others rang of a familiar tune of hate and injustice (over-policing) that saddened and angered me. As a Christian black man, I began to think more about my response to these issues and I began to research more deeply what the American church’s response has historically been to these issues. Unfortunately, in various times and circumstances, the American church has been complicit with racial injustice and other forms of injustices to its shame and has lost credibility in the eyes of many because of her failures.
At the same time, there are many Christians voices seeking to be faithful regarding how we view and treat others and I was compelled to join those faithful voices by starting an apparel brand. Though the name and idea of the company came to me in 2018, the murder of George Floyd was the incident that led me to launch my apparel brand, DIGNITY × WORTH, in September 2020. The foundation of DIGNITY × WORTH is the Bible’s teaching regarding the essence of mankind. Genesis 1:27 says that mankind was created in God’s image and likeness. What this simply means is that out of all of His creatures, we, humans, are God’s image-bearers or we are most like God possessing some of the same characteristics as Him (emotional, relational, volitional, etc.) and called to govern and care for the rest of creation. Since we uniquely bear His image and likeness, we all possess inherent dignity and worth and we are called to uphold the dignity and worth of others and not discriminate against (1 Jhn. 4:16-18, Jam. 2:1-13) them, nor any other form of malevolent behavior.
Has it been a smooth road? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Starting a business is never easy, but the challenges have been learning opportunities. Some challenges were occasions to think more strategically or learn new skills. Other challenges revealed my weaknesses, and caused me to rely on the strengths, skills and input of others.
As an apparel brand with screen printed apparel, three of the most important practical issues are designs, labor and product availability. As a minimalist brand, visualizing and creating attractive designs is something that is very tedious. Fonts, ink color, graphic placement and apparel color all play a crucial role in developing an aesthetically pleasing product. Certain colors can make or break a design. My most popular collection, the Every….Collection, probably went through four revisions before the final print. I think I spent over three weeks studying fonts, their sizes, and their weights, for that collection. Some of the early versions were terrible. My wife saved those drafts so that I can look back to see progress.
As I mentioned earlier, it’s also crucial to have a reputable screen printer. Since I’ve launched, I’ve had a couple of print jobs from different screen printers that didn’t meet my standards and I had to have them redone with my current printer who I have enjoyed forging a good relationship with.
The other struggle I’ve had is supply chain issues. Like most businesses, COVID-19 has affected supply chains. It’s been particularly difficult for me recently because apparel is so sparse. I’ve had to completely change what I wanted to release because certain apparel was not available either in a full size run or a specific color. Because of this, I’ve had to redesign collections, alter my budget, redesign my promo items, and reschedule release dates for collections.
However, despite the challenges, learning to adapt and being patient has been invaluable.
Please tell us more about your business or organization. What should we know? What do you do, what do you specialize in / what are you known for? What sets you apart from others? What are you most proud brand wise? What do you want our readers to know about your brand, offerings, services, etc?
DIGNITY × WORTH is an apparel brand that exists to affirm the God-given inherent dignity and worth of humanity, both male and female, and to generate meaningful Christ-centered conversation.
I believe what sets me apart from other Christian apparel brands is my very specific niche. Due to the present social climate, I’ve been told on many occasions that my apparel has helped people see how the Christian faith addresses societal issues in a true, relevant and lasting way. Another aspect that makes D×W unique are its minimalist designs. The goal is to clearly see and read the messages. Too much “visual noise” is counter-productive to that goal. Simple aesthetics are fresh, clean and have a timeless feel. My aim is to catch the eye and provoke the mind. Also, with each order, I supply an info card that explains the meaning of the apparel item so people can have a fuller explanation of the apparel or share it with others who may inquire about its message.
As the owner of this small business, I wear all of the hats, which includes inspecting, packing and fulfilling every order. I want to ensure that customers are not only satisfied with the apparel, but also satisfied with the care and attention that is given to each order. Also, I’m constantly educating myself about the clothing industry so that I can continue offering quality D×W apparel. To date, I’ve released 7 collections, which consist of t-shirts, hoodies and a crew-neck sweatshirt. Currently, I’m looking to expand my product line to include children’s apparel and to also offer international shipping.
One of the things that I’m most proud of is how many of the supporters have had conversations about the messages on the apparel and that they are also sharing D×W on their social platforms, which has led to greater visibility and support across the nation. It is truly humbling and I am very appreciative.
Pricing
- T-shirts from $22.00
- Sweatshirts from $32.00
- Hooded sweatshirts from $35.00
Contact Info:
- Email: info@dignityxworth.com
- Website: www.dignityxworth.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/dignityxworth
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/dignityxworth
Image Credits:
Personal Photo : Taken by Jenn Robinson All apparel flat-lays: Taken by David Robinson Guy in grey shirt: Taken by Faith Best Woman in JUSTICE. hoodie: Taken by David Robinson
